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Course Swaraj 2004
Valediction Function
October 3rd, 2004
Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, Chennai
While the world was busy
watching a war, watching a built-up for an election that may not affect
the war and India was busy ignoring the farmers' suicides to concentrate
on cricket sans sachin, in Chennai a few young people from completely
different backgrounds spent over 2 months exploring GANDHI.
Assumptions and notions shattered, hundreds of questions raised, unspoken
agreements, brief moments of intense emotions, shared doubts - and hope,
the beginning of strong convictions …the participants have been through
them all. They haven't arrived at solutions that will change the world
or salvage mankind in a day, but do have an understanding that has changed
their world, that would make social action never the same for them.
SwaRaj - a weekend
course on understanding and initiating social action, was conducted by
SAMANVAYA during the months of August and September 2004. Through lectures,
discussions and debates, the course explored the approach and framework
to national work and development that Gandhiji has outlined in his keynote
work, Hind Swaraj. The following are the modules of this course.
Introduction to Gandhi's thought, philosophy and work, in particular,
Hind Swaraj
Civilisational analysis of, and standpoint in issues as explained
by Gandhi
Swaraj, Sovereignty - manifesting one's swabhava (innate nature)
and strength, thus building and maintaining Lokvidya or Indigenous knowledge
systems
Soul Force, the spiritual force that is unique to this civilisation
and its sadhana
India Today - Where are we today as a nation? How can we revive the spirit
of Gandhi and his ideas in today's scenario? Should we?
The Valediction event of Course SwaRaj was conducted on October 3rd 2004
at Vinobha Hall, Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya, Chennai.
The guest speakers for the day were:
Sri. A.V. Balasubramanian, Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems
Sri. Mukundan, Sanjeevani Ayurveda and Yoga Centre
Smt. Sashikala Ananth, Vadivam
Sri. Annamalai, Gandhi Study Centre and
Sri. Muthuswamy, Kootthuppattarai
A brief account of the evolution of the course idea, background, preparation
and design, and a summary of the course sessions were given by Priya,
the course coordinator. This was followed by the participants' sharing
their experiences, insights and learning with the audience. All the participants
consistently said that the course has offered them new and different perspectives
of looking at issues, their own life and work. They also expressed the
need for more time for reflection and follow up sessions for further thought
and discussion. Some other comments: the need for conducting such a programme
in regional languages, the combination of a wealth of knowledge and humility
of the resource people in itself being a lesson for the participants,
and the recognition of Gandhiji beyond merely an apostle of peace.
Sri. A.V. Balasubramanian emphasised upon the necessity of recognising
the instances of functional swaraj that we may find in society today,
and our responsibility of celebrating and building strength into them.
He gave the example of the "Man of the Year" column that appears
in the magazine, The Week. This column looks at one initiative, one individual
every year and describes this in detail. Citing examples from this, like
Rajendar Singh of Tarun Bharath Sangh and Baba Amte who have been profiled
in this column, he said that these were very inspiring stories. He said
that what we need to do is act according to our swabhava, and in social
action, which is then a combination of tapas (in this context, effort),
swadhyaya (reflection) and ishwarapranidhanam (attitude of leaving the
results to God after having done your best). He also spoke about anger,
saying that we need anger for social action today, but not the kind which
fizzles out once the reason / stimulant is out of sight, but a cold, calculating
anger that sustains one's efforts for 15, 20, 30 years; much like Gandhiji.
Sri. Mukundan asserted the relevance of Gandhiji today: he said that on
October 2nd there were several programmes across the country honouring
the memory of the Mahatma, numerous speeches and garlanding sessions -
this is because he is still in the memory of the people of this country
as an important symbol of their freedom and nationality. He stated that
this is important to build upon to defend our identity against the hegemony
of the western civilisation. He spoke briefly about the international
and national scene today, stressed the need for cleaning our society of
this influence of the western civilisation which is destroying us, and
the importance of a civilisational stand. He summarised with, "Gandhiji
explained in Hind Swaraj, the Indian perspective and offered the solution
that is suited to this civilisation."
Smt. Sashikala Ananth spoke about the importance of understanding the
self and the spiritual path which so many of our leaders have taught us.
She told the audience that it does not work to say that after so-and-so-much
preparation and effort, one will start acting. Both have to be Now. Even
as there is effort, should there be reflection as well as action. Now
is all the time there is, and one's reflection should be so internalised
that one should be able to act this moment within the limitations of knowledge,
skills, resources, position etc. There is no 'later' to act. She added
that hence to say that one will earn till the age of 50, then go on to
the field of social work is deluding oneself.
Sri. Annamalai also spoke about the importance of a civilisational stand
and the need to assert our identity in the world arena today, adding that
Gandhiji was the one political leader who articulated this civilisational
worldview and built upon its strength to achieve political freedom. His
ideas and solutions, be they political, social or economical, they were
all on the basis of this civilisation, hence naturally the path to follow
for the Indian society to flourish.
One significant strength of Gandhiji, his right understanding of Tradition
was touched upon by Sri. Muthuswamy, who said that this was Gandhiji's
greatest appeal for him. He said that several problems and conflict in
society today are because of a shallow understanding of Tradition. We
today blindly dismiss Tradition without true understanding. He spoke about
the Dravidian movement saying that because of its political compulsions,
the movement was blinded to the strengths of Tradition, failed to understand
and rejected it outright, resulting in much perversity. Gandhiji looked
at Tradition deeply enough to own up to it, attempt to purge it of defects,
and work from the platform of Tradition. He declared that this is why
we need Gandhi today more than ever before, there cannot be questions
about it.
Ram, Chief, SAMANVAYA brought the programme to a close, explaining the
need that we saw for such a course and outlining the future plans of SAMANVAYA
to carry forward this idea.
He described how in traditional communities knowledge transfer happened
in an informal way from one generation to another. There were natural
spaces for elders to talk to youngsters, share their knowledge and express
their wisdom. Unfortunately, such spaces have disappeared or are fading
away in urban centres today and increasingly elsewhere too. Course SwaRaj
was designed to provide such a context to our elders at work to share
what they know with young individuals who are just starting out. He also
spoke at some length about how there is need in society today for serious
reflection and thought without its subversion by shallow interaction,
a demand for "practical do's" or humour. An ostentatious demand
for interaction, practical exercises or humour without an understanding
of any of these or the subject will only serve to dilute issues.
SAMANVAYA's future Swaraj course plans were also mentioned by him. Many
educational institutions, colleges as well as development organisations
have come forward asking for such a foundation programme to be held for
their people. Besides these, SAMANVAYA plans to work towards publishing
an annotated text of Hind Swaraj by 2009, the centenary of Hind Swaraj.
→Please write to knowledge@samanvaya.com if you want
to organise a SwaRaj programme in your institution.
→Please browse through the related links section to know more.
Course SwaRaj - Year 2004
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